Operation console, image processing apparatus provided with the operation console, and method of controlling the operation console

ABSTRACT

On a touch-panel display of an image forming apparatus, pieces of information are displayed divided into five areas, that is, a system area, a function selecting area, a preview area, an action panel area and a task trigger area, of which arrangement is kept unchanged even when operational modes are switched. With such an arrangement, the same or similar pieces of information are displayed on an area arranged at the same position even in different operational modes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This nonprovisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a)on Patent Application No. 2010-025494 filed in Japan on Feb. 8, 2010,the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display device displaying informationto a user. More specifically, the present invention relates to a displaydevice and a method of displaying information, displaying pieces ofinformation on a plurality of divided areas and, even if an operationalmode of an electronic device or an image processing apparatus providedwith the display device is changed and screen images are switchedaccordingly, enabling the user to appropriately grasp the pieces ofinformation displayed in each operational mode. The present invention isalso related to the electronic device and the image forming apparatusprovided with such a display device.

Description of the Background Art

As one type of image processing apparatuses as electronic equipment,image forming apparatuses forming images on recording paper (typically,copy machines) are introduced to many places of business (companies andoffices). In such a place of business, it has become increasingly commonto connect an image forming apparatus having a printer function or acopy function to a network, to allow use (sharing) by a plurality ofusers. A multifunction peripheral (MFP) as one type of such imageforming apparatuses has a plurality of basic operational modes such as acopy mode, a facsimile mode (hereinafter “facsimile” may also be denotedas FAX or fax), a network-supported printer mode and a scanner mode. Insuch an image forming apparatus, each user selects an operational modeand selects and makes settings of a function of duplex (two-sided)printing or collective printing (such as 2-in-1 by which two pages of anoriginal document are printed on one sheet, or 4-in-1 by which fourpages of an original document are printed on one sheet), whereby imagesare formed on sheets of paper in a desired manner. Appropriatecombinations of these functions come to be more frequently used.

When a user uses such an image forming apparatus, for example, the userinputs image data in the scanner mode, performs image processing (suchas collection) by inputting various instructions through an operationpanel, and prints the results on a sheet of recording paper. In such asituation, the operation panel, serving as an operation and displayunit, functions as an interface between the image forming apparatus andthe user. Generally, on the operation panel, a screen image for settingfunctions in each operational mode is displayed, so that the user caneasily set various functions. Further, while a job is being executed,job progress status may be displayed, to allow the user to easily graspthe progress status of the job. In the printer mode executed uponreception of data from an external device, the job progress status maybe displayed in accordance with the data received from the externaldevice as a source.

Recently, a touch-panel display having a touch-panel overlapped on aliquid crystal panel (display panel) comes to be increasingly used assuch an operation panel. By way of example, items (software buttons)allowing selection of a mode of the image forming apparatus aredisplayed on the touch-panel display, the user viewing the displaypresses a position of an item displayed on the touch-panel display(presses a software button), and the operational mode is set.

Such a touch-panel display having both the display and operationfunctions is advantageous in that it eliminates the necessity ofproviding a display unit and an operation unit separately. Further, itattracts attention recently since a command can be selectedadvantageously in accordance with the user's sense, when it is adaptedsuch that a command can be selected in accordance with a trajectory ofpressing of the touch-panel display by the user's finger. Examples ofsuch command selection using finger trajectory include the following.

When a plurality of pages are displayed on the touch-panel display asprint previews, the following operations may be performed. By a useroperation of lightly tapping twice (hereinafter also referred to asdouble-tapping) a position of a certain page displayed as a preview, acommand to display the page in an enlarged or reduced size can beselected. By a user operation trajectory of expanding a space betweentwo fingers (hereinafter also referred to as pinch-out or pinch-open), acommand to display the page in an enlarged size can be selected, and bya user operation trajectory of reducing a space between the two fingers(hereinafter also referred to as pinch-in or pinch-close), a command todisplay the page in a reduced size can be selected. In the following,these operations are denoted as gesture operations. The gestureoperations are not limited to the above, and may include: tapping, orlightly touching an item displayed on the touch-panel display; dragging,or sliding an item with a finger; flicking, or lightly sweeping an itemto scroll; and pinching with two fingers. It is noted that, strictlyspeaking, the tapping and double-tapping are not determined by the useroperation trajectory on the touch-panel display (determined not by thetrajectory but by detection of a position). The user's request, however,can also be detected by these operations and, therefore, these are alsoincluded in the gesture operations in the present specification.

Further, in the present specification, an operation other than thegesture operations as such will be described as a touch operation. Thetouch operation means an operation of detecting a user's request basedon the position of operation by the user on the touch-panel. Arepresentative example of the touch operation is an operation of theuser pressing a position of an item (pressing a software button)displayed on the touch-panel display.

In an MFP provided with a touch-panel display allowing both touchoperation and gesture operation, many pieces of information intended forthe user are displayed on the touch-panel display.

By way of example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2002-229393(hereinafter referred to as '393 Reference) discloses a method ofdisplaying, on a display device provided on an apparatus having aplurality of functional modes (copy, FAX, scan-to-mail etc.), at least adescription related to an operation and the status of the apparatus ineach mode, with screen images switched mode by mode.

According to this display method, when a function related to at leastone mode among the plurality modes should fail and cannot be used, aspecial display indicating presence of the unusable function is given onat least a part of a screen image of the currently displayed mode.Further, according to this display method, the special function iscontinuously displayed even when the screen image is switched.

Therefore, by this display method, if the apparatus malfunctions and afunction related to a certain mode becomes unusable, for example, thedisplay to that effect is continuously given on real-time basis, whilescreen images corresponding to usable functions are displayed to allowuse. As a result, the time when the apparatus is stopped becomesshorter, and operation efficiency of the apparatus can be improved.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-308831 (hereinafter referred to as'831 Reference) discloses an image forming apparatus including aplurality of processing functions (copy function, facsimile function,scanner function, electronic mail function, etc.), that improves useroperability by controlling screen image transitions.

The image forming apparatus includes a display unit, an operation unit,a detection unit and a control unit. The display unit displays a menuscreen image allowing selection of any of the plurality of processingfunctions, or a function instruction screen image allowing execution ofa processing function. The operation unit receives a user operationrelated to the selected processing function, based on the screen imagedisplayed on the display unit. The detecting unit detects absence of anyoperation, related to the selected processing function, on the operationunit for a prescribed time period. If it is detected by the detectingunit that no operation is done for the prescribed time period, thecontrol unit returns the screen image on the display unit to an initialdisplay of the function instruction screen image related to the selectedprocessing function.

The image forming apparatus is controlled such that, if no operation isdone by the operation unit for a prescribed time period, the detectingunit detects the absence of operation, the function instruction screenimage related to the processing function displayed on the display unitis reset, and the display is returned to the initial screen image of thefunction instruction screen image. Therefore, as an automatic resetprocess that takes place after the lapse of the prescribed time period,the initial screen image corresponding to the function that has beenselected immediately before is resumed. Therefore, when the user is toproceed to the next process, the process function can readily beexecuted.

Further, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2007-188054 (hereinafterreferred to as '054 Reference) discloses an image forming apparatus inwhich a preview image of a finished form is displayed before actuallyprinting a copy, allowing the user to change print setting as necessary.

The image forming apparatus includes: an image data input unit; an imagestorage unit; a tentative finished form information generating unit; aninput screen image information generating unit; a display unit; asetting unit; and a copying unit. The image data input unit inputs imagedata. The image storage unit stores sample image data in advance. Thetentative finished form information generating unit generates tentativefinished form information expected when setting is done based on variouspieces of setting information on the sample image data. The input screenimage information generating unit generates input screen imageinformation including setting process items for receiving varioussetting inputs related to the tentative finished form information. Thedisplay unit displays the input screen image based on the tentativefinished form information and the input screen image information. Thesetting unit outputs the contents of setting inputs received through theinput screen image to the tentative finished form information generatingunit, to realize the setting. The copying unit executes the process forcopying the image data input through the image data input unit, based onthe tentative finished form information.

In the image forming apparatus, various items are set on the inputscreen image provided in accordance with the input screen imageinformation and the tentative finished form information based on thesample image data. The tentative finished form information reflectingthe setting is displayed on the display unit. Therefore, pre-scanning ofa document becomes unnecessary, and hence the process of setting variousitems can be done at higher speed.

Various electronic devices as represented by the image forming apparatusand an image processing apparatus include a touch-panel display as adisplay device. As disclosed in the references described above, variouspieces of information are displayed on the touch-panel display. Theimage forming apparatus as one of such electronic devices has aplurality of functional modes or process functions (operational modes).When a user selects an operational mode, an initial screen imagecorresponding to the selected operational mode is displayed on thetouch-panel display.

With such a configuration, however, it follows that if the user selectsone of a plurality of modes to use the image forming apparatus, thescreen image displayed for each mode comes to have differentarrangements. If the arrangements of screen images among various modeslack unity and the user does not remember the screen image arrangementof each mode, it would be difficult for the user to find a piece ofinformation he/she needs from among the pieces of information displayedon the touch-panel display. In connection with such a problem, what isdisclosed in '393

Reference is only an image forming apparatus in which a basic screenimage for each operational mode (including trouble information tofacilitate recognition of any trouble) is displayed on the display panelwhen the user selects an operational mode. What is disclosed in '831Reference is only an image forming apparatus in which transition to afunction instruction screen image of each operational mode is made whenan operation is designated on a menu screen image (in auto-reset in theabsence of any operation for a prescribed time period or longer,transition is made to the function instruction screen image of theoperational mode that has been selected immediately before). What isdisclosed in '054 Reference is only an image forming apparatus having apreview displayed at a central portion of the touch-panel and functionselection buttons arranged on both sides. Therefore, it is impossible tosolve the problem in the apparatus having a plurality of operationalmodes that it is difficult to find a piece of information the user needsfrom among the displayed pieces of information when an operational modeis switched and the screen image on the touch-panel display is switchedaccordingly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the problem described above, it is desirable to provide, inan electronic device and an image processing apparatus (image formingapparatus) in which a plurality of operational modes are switched foroperation, a technique allowing the user to easily find a desired pieceof information even when the operational mode is switched and the screenimage on the display device is switched accordingly.

According to an aspect, the present invention provides a display device,provided on an apparatus as an object of control operated in oneoperational mode selected by a user from a plurality of operationalmodes. The display device includes a display unit displaying informationcorresponding to the selected operational mode to the user; and adisplay control unit dividing the display unit to a plurality of areas,and displaying information while maintaining arrangement of dividedareas even when the selected operational mode is changed. The displaycontrol unit displays same or similar information in an area arranged atthe same position in each operational mode. In a first area among theplurality of areas, preview information displaying, before execution,expected result of a process to be executed by the apparatus as theobject of control, is displayed; and in a second area among theplurality of areas, information allowing selection of a function to beexecuted by the apparatus as the object of control is displayed. Thedisplay control unit displays, in response to selection of a functiondisplayed on the second area, an expected result of a process executedby the selected function in the first area.

By the display device, no matter whether the apparatus as the object ofcontrol operates in a first operational mode or a second operationalmode selected by the user, pieces of information are displayed to theuser with the arrangement of divided areas maintained consistent.Further, even when the operational mode is changed, the same or similarinformation is displayed on an area placed at the same position, amongthe plurality of areas thus arranged. By way of example, assume that theapparatus to be controlled is an image forming apparatus. On its displaypanel, information related to image edition is always displayed on anarea placed at the same position both in the copy mode and in thefacsimile mode. Therefore, even if the operational mode is switched andthe display screen image is switched accordingly, it is possible toeasily find a piece of information required by the user, from thedisplayed pieces of information. As a result, even if the operationalmode is switched and the screen image on the display device is switched,the piece of information required by the user can easily be found.Further, assume that the user edits images before making a copy orsending a facsimile. In that case, it is possible, both in the copy modeand in the facsimile mode, to select a piece of information representinga function displayed on the second area placed at the same position, andto confirm the result of processing by the function on the previewinformation displayed on the first area.

The display control unit may display information related to same orsimilar operation by the user, on an area arranged at the same position.

By way of example, information necessary when the user edits an imagebefore making a copy or sending a facsimile is displayed on the areaplaced at the same position both in the copy mode and in the facsimilemode. Therefore, it is possible to easily find the information necessaryfor the user.

The display control unit may display information having same or similarcontents to be notified to the user, on an area arranged at the sameposition.

By way of example, information to be given to the user (such as a pieceof information related to consumables) is displayed on the area placedat the same position both in the copy mode and in the facsimile mode.Therefore, it is possible to easily find the information necessary forthe user.

In a third area among the plurality of areas, information requestingprocessing by the apparatus as the object of control after selection ofa function by the user may be displayed. Then, the display control unitmay arrange and display the second and third areas on opposite sides ofthe first area.

By way of example, if the user edits an image before making a copy orsending a facsimile, it is possible, both in the copy mode and in thefacsimile mode, to select a piece of information representing a functiondisplayed on the second area placed at the same position, to confirm theresult of processing by the function on the preview informationdisplayed on the first area, and to request processing by the apparatusto be controlled based on a piece of information displayed on the thirdarea. It is also possible to select a piece of information representinga function displayed on the second area while viewing the previewinformation displayed on the first area and, after the function isestablished, to request processing in accordance with a piece ofinformation displayed on the third area placed on the opposite side ofthe second area with the preview information positioned therebetween.Therefore, the flow line of user's viewpoint in the process fromselecting a function to requesting processing is similar even indifferent operational modes. This enables smooth user operation withoutconfusion, even in different operational modes. If the display unit isimplemented by a touch-panel display, the above-described approach ispreferred since, in addition to the flow line of viewpoint, the flowline of a user's finger tip can be maintained similar even in differentoperational modes.

In a fourth area among the plurality of areas, information related to afunction selected by the user may be displayed. Then, the displaycontrol unit may arrange and display the fourth area close to the thirdarea.

The information related to the function selected by the user isdisplayed at the same position, even in different operational modes.Therefore, it becomes easier to obtain the information related to thefunction selected by the user, even if the operational mode isdifferent.

In a fifth area among the plurality of areas, information related to astate of operation of the apparatus as the object of control may bedisplayed. Then, the display control unit may arrange and display thefifth area at an upper portion or a lower portion of the display unit.

The information related to the state of operation of the apparatus asthe object of control (log-in user name, job status, etc.) is displayedat the same position (at an upper portion or lower portion) of thedisplay unit, even in different operational modes. Therefore, it becomeseasier for the user to obtain the information related to the state ofoperation.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides anelectronic device provided with the above-described display device.According to a still another aspect, the present invention provides animage processing apparatus provided with the above-described displaydevice.

By the electronic device and the image processing apparatus, the same orsimilar information is displayed on an area placed at the same positioneven if the operational modes of the electronic device or operationalmodes of the image processing apparatus (image forming apparatus) aredifferent and, therefore, it is possible to easily find the informationnecessary for the user.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a method ofdisplaying information on a display device provided on an apparatus asan object of control operated in one operational mode selected by a userfrom a plurality of operational modes, the method including the steps ofdisplaying, on a display unit of the display device, informationcorresponding to the selected operational mode; dividing the displayunit to a plurality of areas, and displaying information whilemaintaining arrangement of divided areas even when the selectedoperational mode is changed; displaying same or similar information inan area arranged at the same position in each operational mode;displaying, in a first area among the plurality of areas, previewinformation displaying, before execution, expected result of a processto be executed by the apparatus as the object of control; displaying, ina second area among the plurality of areas, information allowingselection of a function to be executed by the apparatus as the object ofcontrol; and displaying, in response to selection of a functiondisplayed on the second area, an expected result of a process executedby the selected function in the first area.

Preferably, the method of displaying information further includes thestep of displaying information related to same or similar operation bythe user, on an area arranged at the same position.

More preferably, the method of displaying information further includesthe step of displaying information having same or similar contents to benotified to the user, on an area arranged at the same position.

Further preferably, the method of displaying information furtherincludes the steps of displaying, in a third area among the plurality ofareas, information requesting processing by the apparatus as the objectof control after selection of a function by the user; and arranging anddisplaying the second and third areas on opposite sides of the firstarea.

Preferably, the method of displaying information further includes thesteps of displaying, in a fourth area among the plurality of areas,information related to a function selected by the user; and arrangingand displaying the fourth area close to the third area.

More preferably, the method of displaying information further includesthe steps of displaying, in a fifth area among the plurality of areas,information related to a state of operation of the apparatus as theobject of control; and arranging and displaying the fifth area at anupper portion or a lower portion of the display unit.

According to the present invention, in an electronic device including animage processing apparatus (image forming apparatus) in which aplurality of operational modes are switched for operation, it ispossible to easily find a piece of information desired by the user, evenwhen the operational mode is switched and the screen image on thedisplay device is switched accordingly.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the image formingapparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 schematically shows an internal configuration of the imageforming apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a hardware configuration ofthe image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows display areas of a touch-panel display of the image formingapparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a programexecuted by the image forming apparatus in accordance with theembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6 to 11 show exemplary screen images displayed on the touch-paneldisplay of the image forming apparatus in accordance with the embodimentof the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, the same components are denoted by thesame reference characters. Their names and functions are also the same.Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

The electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention is an image forming apparatus as one type of image processingapparatuses. The display device in accordance with the present inventionmay be applicable to an image processing apparatus or an electronicdevice other than the image forming apparatus. The electronic device inaccordance with the present embodiment may be any apparatus having aplurality of operational modes and provided with the display device thatdisplays pieces of information such that, when the operational mode isswitched and the screen image on the display device is switchedaccordingly, the user can easily obtain his/her desired piece ofinformation even if the user does not remember the screen imagearrangements.

The image forming apparatus in accordance with the present embodimentincludes a touch-panel display allowing operation by the gestureoperation method and the touch-operation method not using the gestureoperation. The apparatus, however, may include a touch-panel displayallowing touch operation only. Alternatively, the apparatus may includea display panel, capable of display only and not allowing any operation,and buttons for operation.

The image forming apparatus forms an image on a sheet of recording paperby electro-photography. The image forming apparatus includes, asoperational modes, copy mode, FAX mode, document filing mode (a mode inwhich a scanned image is stored in a storage device in the image formingapparatus) and mail mode (a mode in which a scanned image is transmittedattached to an electronic mail). The image forming apparatus may furtherinclude network printer mode. The present invention is not limited tothe above, and it may be any image forming apparatus including at leasttwo of the four operational modes, that is, copy mode, FAX mode,document filing mode and mail mode, in which screen images are switchedmode by mode. Further, the printing method is not limited toelectro-photography.

[Image Forming Apparatus: Function]

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, an image forming apparatus 100 in accordancewith the present embodiment will be described.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, image forming apparatus 100 includes adocument reading unit 102, an image forming unit 104, a paper feed unit106, a paper discharge unit 108 and an operation unit 120. Operationunit 120 includes a touch-panel display 130 and a display operation unit140. Touch-panel display 130 includes a display panel 132 formed of aliquid crystal panel or the like, and a touch-panel 134 arrangedoverlapped on display panel 132, for detecting a position pressed by theuser's finger. Display operation unit 140 includes a pilot lamp 142, apower key 144, an energy-saving key 146, and a home key 148 forreturning the display screen image on touch-panel display 130 to a homescreen image for selection of an operational mode.

As described above, image forming apparatus 100 in accordance with thepresent embodiment is provided with touch-panel display 130 as a mainoperation device, and, in addition, with display operation unit 140including hardware keys and a pilot lamp. The keys (power key 144,energy-saving key 146 and home key 148) of display operation unit 140are hardware buttons, different from the software buttons realized bytouch-panel display 130. It is noted that image forming apparatus 100 isnot limited to one having display operation unit 140 as such, and it maybe provided only with touch-panel display 130. The invention isapplicable to any apparatus in which the display is switched to aninitial screen image of a selected operational mode, when the userselects the operational mode on the home screen image displayed ontouch-panel display 130. The operational modes of image formingapparatus 100 as such will be described.

—Copy Mode—

In the following, an operation in the copy mode will be described. Inthe copy mode, mainly document reading unit (also referred to as ascanner unit) 102 and image forming unit 104 operate.

In image forming apparatus 100, a document placed on a platen is read bydocument reading unit 102 as image data. The read image data is input toCPU (Central Processing Unit) 300 implemented, for example, by amicrocomputer shown in FIG. 3. The image data is subjected to variousimage processing operations here, and the resulting image data is outputto image forming unit 104.

Image forming unit 104 is for printing an image of the documentrepresented by the image data on a recording medium (in most cases, on asheet of recording paper). Image forming unit 104 includes aphotoreceptor drum 222, a charger 224, a laser scanning unit(hereinafter denoted as LSU) 226, a developer 228, a transfer device230, a cleaning device 232, a fixing device 234 and a neutralizer, notshown.

In image forming unit 104, a main feeding path 236 and a reverse feedingpath 238 are provided, and a sheet of recording paper fed from paperfeed unit 106 is fed along main feeding path 236. Paper feed unit 106draws out sheets of recording paper stacked on a paper feed cassette 240or on a manual feed tray 242 one by one, and feeds the sheet of paper tomain feeding path 236 of image forming unit 104.

While the sheet of recording paper is fed along main feeding path 236 ofimage forming unit 104, the sheet passes between photoreceptor drum 222and transfer device 230, and further passes through fixing device 234,whereby printing is done on the sheet of recording paper.

Photoreceptor drum 222 rotates in one direction, and its surface iscleaned by cleaning device 232 and the neutralizer and, thereafter,uniformly charged by charger 224.

LSU 226 modulates the laser beam based on the image data to be printed,and repeatedly scans the surface of photoreceptor drum 222 with themodulated laser beam in a main scanning direction, whereby anelectrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of photoreceptordrum 222.

Developer 228 develops the electrostatic latent image by supplying tonerto the surface of photoreceptor drum 222, and thus, a toner image isformed on the surface of photoreceptor drum 222.

Transfer device 230 transfers the toner image on the surface ofphotoreceptor drum 222 to the sheet of recording paper passing betweentransfer device 230 and the photoreceptor drum 222.

Fixing device 234 includes a heating roller 248 and a pressure roller250. Heating roller 248 is for heating the sheet of recording paper.Pressure roller 250 is for pressing the sheet of recording paper. As thesheet of recording paper is heated by heating roller 248 and pressed bypressure roller 250, the toner image that has been transferred to thesheet of recording paper is fixed on the sheet. A heater is heated byelectric power supplied to fixing device 234 and controlled such thattemperature of heating roller 248 attains to an appropriate temperaturefor fixing. When operational mode is changed to the energy saving mode,power supply to the heater is, for example, stopped or reduced.

At a position of connection between main feeding path 236 and reversefeeding path 238, a separation pawl 244 is arranged. When printing isdone only on one side of the sheet of recording paper, separation pawl244 is so positioned that the sheet of recording paper fed from fixingdevice 234 is guided to paper discharge tray 246 or a paper dischargeunit 108.

When printing is done on both sides of the sheet of recording paper,separation pawl 244 is turned to a prescribed direction, so that thesheet of recording paper is guided to reverse feeding path 238. Thesheet of recording paper passes through reverse feeding path 238, turnedupside-down and again fed to main feeding path 236, and while it isagain fed along main feeding path 236, printing is done on its rearsurface, and thereafter the sheet is guided to paper discharge tray 246or to paper discharge unit 108.

The sheet of recording paper printed in the above-described manner isguided to paper discharge tray 246 or to paper discharge unit 108, anddischarged to paper discharge tray 246 or to any of paper dischargetrays 110 of paper discharge unit 108.

Paper discharge unit 108 may perform a process of sorting a plurality ofprinted sheets of paper to be output to different discharge trays 110, aprocess of punching each sheet of recording paper or a process ofstapling the sheets of recording paper. Assume that a number of copiesof the printing are to be prepared. In that case, sheets of recordingpaper are sorted and discharged to paper discharge trays 110 such thateach tray 110 contains each set of printed sheets, and the set ofprinted sheets in each tray 110 is stapled or punched.

—Facsimile Mode—

In the following, an operation in the facsimile mode will be described.In the facsimile mode, the facsimile function is realized bytransmission and reception operations. In the transmission operation,document reading unit (scanner unit) 102 and FAX communication unit 160mainly operate. In the reception operation, FAX communication unit 160and image forming unit 104 mainly operate.

Transmission Operation

In image forming apparatus 100, the facsimile mode is designated. Adocument placed on the platen is read by document reading unit 102 asimage data. The read image data is input to CPU 300 implemented, forexample, by a microcomputer shown in FIG. 3, the image data is subjectedto various image processing operations here, and the resulting imagedata is output to a FAX communication unit (FAX communication unit 160of FIG. 3).

FAX communication unit 160 of image forming apparatus 100 on thetransmitting side connects a designated transmitting side line to adesignated transmission destination. FAX communication unit 160 convertsthe image data to communication data in compliance with facsimiletransmission standard, and transmits the converted data to a facsimilemachine (such as an image forming apparatus having the facsimilefunction) on the receiving side.

—Communication Operation

When the line is connected, a FAX communication unit of the imageforming apparatus on the receiving side detects a communication requestsignal from FAX communication unit 160 of image forming apparatus 100 onthe transmitting side, and transmits an acknowledgement signal.Thereafter, by way of example, FAX communication units on thetransmitting and receiving sides pass performance information supportedby transmitting side and receiving side, determine highest possiblespeed of communication and method of coding/code correction of imagedata, and set the method of communication of modems. Then, using theimage signal format in compliance with the communication method, data istransmitted from FAX communication unit 160 of image forming apparatus100 on the transmitting side to the FAX communication unit of imageforming apparatus on the receiving side. When transmission ends, theline is disconnected.

—Reception Operation

When image forming apparatus 100 is on the receiving side, FAXcommunication unit 160 converts the received data to image data andpasses the data to an image forming unit 104. The received data may beconverted to image data at the image forming unit 104. The image formingunit 104 prints an image of a document represented by the image dataconverted from the received data on a sheet of recording paper, in amanner similar to the operation in the copy mode described above.

—Document Filing Mode—

In the following, an operation in the document filing mode will bedescribed. In the document filing mode, mainly document reading unit(scanner unit) 102 and image forming unit 104 operate.

In image forming apparatus 100, a document placed on the platen is readby document reading unit 102 as image data. The read image data is inputto CPU 300 and subjected to various image processing operations here.The resulting image data is stored in a storage device (hard disk drive302 as will be described later) provided in image forming apparatus 100.

The stored image data is read from the hard disk drive by the userdesignating the file name, and printed on a sheet of recording paper inthe similar manner as in the copy mode described above.

—Mail Mode (Scan-to-Mail)—

In the following, description will be given on an operation in the mailmode. In the mail mode, document reading unit (scanner unit) 102 andnetwork interface 304 mainly operate.

The image communication mode provided in image forming apparatus 100includes the facsimile mode and the electronic mail communication mode(mail mode). In the facsimile mode, image data is transmitted/receivedby public line through FAX communication unit 160 as described above. Inthe electronic mail communication mode (mail mode), the image data istransmitted/received by the Internet line in the form of an attachmentto an electronic mail, through network interface 304. Image formingapparatus 100 may further include Internet facsimile mode or imagetransfer mode (scan-to-PC folder). In the Internet facsimile mode, theimage data is transmitted/received by the Internet line through networkinterface 304. In the image transfer mode (scan-to-PC folder), the imagedata is transferred to a folder of a specific personal computer (PC)using a network line.

In image forming apparatus 100, a document placed on a platen is read bydocument reading unit 102 as image data. The read image data is input toCPU 300, and subjected to various image processing operations here. Theresulting image data is transmitted, attached to an electronic mail.

Different from the facsimile mode in which a telephone number oftransmission destination is designated, a mail address of thetransmission destination is designated in the mail mode.

[Image Forming Apparatus: Control Block Configuration]

Referring to FIG. 3, image forming apparatus 100 further includesoperation unit 120, ROM (Read Only Memory) 306, a hard disk drive(hereinafter denoted as HDD) 302, and an RAM (Random Access Memory) 308.Operation unit 120 allows setting of functions related to the copy mode,facsimile mode, document filing mode and mail mode. ROM 306 storesprograms and the like. HDD 302 is a non-volatile storage area capable ofstoring programs and data even when power is cut off. RAM 308 provides astorage area when a program is executed.

Image forming apparatus 100 further includes a bus 310 and CPU 300.Document reading unit 102, image forming unit 104, FAX communicationunit 160, operation unit 120, ROM 306, HDD 302, RAM 308, and CPU 300 areconnected to bus 310. CPU 300 realizes general functions as the imageforming apparatus.

HDD 302 stores files of image data of documents scanned by image formingapparatus 100, folder by folder, together with date and time of savingand name of the user who saved. Further, HDD 302 stores initial screenimage data of each operational mode.

ROM 306 stores programs and data necessary for controlling operations ofimage forming apparatus 100. The initial screen image data of eachoperational mode may be stored as data to be stored together with theprogram in ROM 306. CPU 300 controls image forming apparatus 100 inaccordance with the programs and data stored in ROM 306, and executescontrol related to various functions of image forming apparatus 100.

As shown in FIG. 3, a public line is connected fortransmitting/receiving image data, to FAX communication unit 160 ofimage forming apparatus 100. To network interface 304, a network line isconnected. To the network line, a computer or the like using imageforming apparatus 100 as a network-supported printer may be connected.To the network line, a computer or the like identified by a URL (UniformResource Locator) designated through the Internet may be connected. Whenconnected to the Internet, image forming apparatus 100 can obtainnecessary information through the Internet.

RAM 308 provides a function of a working memory for temporarily storingresults of operations and processes by CPU 300, and a function of aframe memory for storing image data.

CPU 300 controls document reading unit 102, image forming unit 104, ROM306, HDD 302, RAM 308 and touch-panel display 130 and display operationunit 140 forming operation unit 120, by executing a prescribed programor programs. Operation unit 120 communicates with CPU 300 through aninput/output interface.

Operation unit 120 is formed of a plate-shaped panel provided in aninclined manner to be easily viewable by the user. On a surface ofoperation unit 120, touch-panel display 130 is provided on the left sidearea, and display operation unit 140 (pilot lamp 142 and power key 144,energy-saving key 146 and home key 148 as hardware buttons) is providedon the right side area. Touch-panel display 130 and display operationunit 140 form operation unit 120 as one integrated body as a whole.

As described above, touch-panel display 130 is formed of display panel132 and touch-panel 134 arranged overlapped on display panel 132. Ondisplay panel 132 of touch-panel display 130, a home screen imageallowing selection of an operational mode of image forming apparatus100, current state of image forming apparatus 100, status of destinationdesignation, and status of job processing are displayed. On a displayarea of display panel 132, selection buttons as software buttons aredisplayed. When a portion where the selection button is displayed ispressed, the pressed position is detected by the touch-panel 134. Bycomparing the display position of the selection button and the positionwhere the touch-panel 134 is pressed using a program, selection of anoperational mode, setting of a function, and instruction of an operationof image forming apparatus 100 become possible. In addition to such atouch operation (command input operation based on the position ofpressing by the user), image forming apparatus 100 also allows gestureoperation (command input operation based on trajectory of operation bythe user) as described above.

Pilot lamp 142 of display operation unit 140 is, for example, an LED(Light Emitting Diode). It is turned on/off (/flickered) under thecontrol of CPU 300. When the user presses power key 144 providedseparate from a main power switch, image forming apparatus 100 makes atransition from a standby mode (in which, for example, only the FAXreceiving operation is possible with the main power on) to a normalmode, in which every operational mode of image forming apparatus 100 isusable. In this state, pilot lamp 142 is turned and kept on. If apredetermined time passes without any user operation, or if the userpresses energy-saving key 146, image forming apparatus 100 makes atransition from the normal mode to the energy saving mode. In the energysaving mode, only some of the operational modes of image formingapparatus 100 can be used. In this state, pilot lamp 142 flickers.Further, if the user presses energy-saving key 146 in the energy savingmode, the image forming apparatus 100 makes a transition from the energysaving mode to the normal mode. Home key 148 is a hardware key forreturning the display of touch-panel display 130 to the initial state(home screen image). The processes performed when power key 144,energy-saving key 146 and home key 148 are pressed are not limited tothe above.

In a hardware button (power key 144, energy-saving key 146 and home key148) of display operation unit 140, a key lamp or key lamps, whichis/are turned on/off (/flickered) under the control of CPU 300, may beembedded. By way of example, the key lamps provide a light ring on theedge of a circular key, or the key lamp lights a central portion of thekey. The key lamp is turned on at a timing when hardware buttons areallowed to be used as the operation device (at a timing when a processis executed if the hardware button is used).

Image forming apparatus 100 in accordance with the present embodimentincludes the four operational modes (copy mode, facsimile mode, documentfiling mode and mail mode) as described above. On touch-panel display130, software buttons for setting functions in respective operationalmodes are displayed, and buttons for setting a destination or a previewas an expected image, for example, are displayed as needed.

In different operational modes, different screen images are displayed ontouch-panel display 130. In order to allow the user to easily find arequired piece of information even in such a state, touch-panel display130 is divided into a plurality of areas (with the size of each areamade variable), and pieces of information are displayed in these areas.More specifically, in image forming apparatus 100, if an operationalmode is selected on the home screen image of touch-panel display 130provided as a main display operation device, the initial screen image ofeach operational mode is displayed. In the initial screen image, a basiclayout is such that the screen image is divided into five areas (“systemarea,” “function selecting area,” “preview area,” “action panel area,”and “task trigger area”) and arranged appropriately. Therefore, by auser operation starting from an upper left portion to a lower rightportion, easy setting is possible (since the flow lines of the user'sviewpoint and finger tip are similar to those in a conventional devicenot provided with such a large touch-panel display 130). Further,concepts of the pieces of information displayed on respective ones ofthe five areas are common among different operational modes, so thatsmooth operation by the user without any confusion becomes possible evenin different operational modes. In the following, the arrangement ofbasic layout will be described.

[Basic Layout Arrangement]

FIG. 4 shows a basic layout on touch-panel display 130 of image formingapparatus 100. Referring to FIG. 4, the basic layout oflandscape-oriented touch-panel display 130 (for example, of 1024pixels×600 pixels) includes system area 1000, preview area 3000,function setting/confirmation area 2000 (hereinafter referred to asfunction selecting area 2000), action panel area 4000 and task triggerarea 5000. Specifically, system area 1000 is arranged at the uppermostportion of the screen image, and preview area 3000 is arranged at thecenter of the screen image. Function selecting area 2000 is placed onthe left side of preview area 3000, and action panel area 4000 is placedon the right side of preview area 3000. Task trigger area 5000 is placedon the lower right side of preview area 3000. The number of areas is notlimited to five, the arrangement on the left and right sides is notlimited to the above, and the layout may be customized to facilitateuser operation. For instance, system area 1000 may be positioned at thelowermost portion of the screen image.

On system area 1000, pieces of information related to the current statusand state of image forming apparatus 100 are displayed. By way ofexample, on system area 1000, an operational mode name, an interruptionkey, a log-in user name, status of a currently processed job, state ofuse of an internal memory, time and the like are displayed.

On function selecting area 2000, a function selection menu (icons,buttons and the like) operated by the user for setting each function,switching display and confirming setting, is displayed. The manner ofdisplay of function selecting area 2000 is changed depending on whetherit is in an icon mode, a regular mode or an express mode. In the iconmode, only the icons for setting functions are displayed in functionselecting area 2000, so as to ensure the widest preview area 3000. Inthe express mode, a large screen image allowing setting of functions atone time is displayed in function selecting area 2000, while previewarea 3000 is made the smallest. In the regular mode, the size of previewarea 3000 is medium size between that in the icon mode and that in theexpress mode. In function selecting area 2000, function names aredisplayed in text, together with the icons for setting functions.

Switching among the icon mode, regular mode and express mode is donebased on an operation by the user. Specifically, the size of previewarea 3000 is changed in accordance with the user's operation. Sinceicons can transmit pieces of information to the user in a small area, itis preferred to prepare icons for all functions, so as to allow displayof preview area 3000 in a large size.

At a lower portion of function selecting area 2000, a group of changebuttons 2010 are provided, for changing style of display of functionselecting area 2000. Among the group of change buttons 2010, an iconmode entering button 2012, a “favorite” button 2014, a check button2016, a list button 2018, a regular mode entering button 2020, and anexpress mode entering button 2022 are provided. Icon mode enteringbutton 2012 is for displaying function selecting area 2000 in the iconmode. Favorite button 2014 is for displaying functions registered as“favorites.” Check button 2016 is for displaying a function of whichsetting has been changed. List button 2018 is for displaying a list ofall functions that can be set in the selected operational mode. Regularmode entering button 2020 is for displaying function selecting area 2000in the regular mode. Express mode entering button 2022 is for displayingfunction selecting area 2000 in the express mode.

If a large amount of information is to be displayed on functionselecting area 2000, pieces of information are displayed in anupward/downward scrollable manner. In that case, the group of changebuttons 2010 are not scrolled but constantly displayed at the lowermostportion of function selecting area 2000.

In preview area 3000, an image of expected document output (finishedform) is displayed. Specifically, an image is displayed using dummy dataor scanned data. Every time the user designates the manner of finish,the image displayed on preview area 3000 changes. Preview area 3000 hastwo display modes. One is a virtual mode before scanning, in whichfinished form of a dummy image is displayed. Another display mode is ascan-in mode after scanning, in which finished form of the actual imageis displayed. The virtual mode has two types, that is, before setting anoriginal document and after setting an original document.

At a lower portion of preview area 3000, a group of preview changingbuttons 3010 are provided, for changing the style of display of previewarea 3000. Among the group of preview changing buttons 3010, a left-turnbutton 3016, a right-turn button 3018, and a zoom bar 3020 are provided.Left-turn button 3016 turns the preview 90 degrees to the left, andright-turn button 3018 turns the preview 90 degrees to the right. Inaddition to these buttons, a color changing button 3012 and previewoperation button 3014, for example, are provided.

When left-turn button 3016 is touch-operated once, the preview is turned90 degrees to the left, and when touch-operated twice, the preview isturned 180 degrees to the left (vertically flipped). Similarly, when theimage of finished document displayed on the preview area isgesture-operated (when the document image is rotated 180 degreescounterclockwise by one's finger), the preview is turned 180 degrees tothe left and vertically flipped.

When right-turn button 3018 is touch-operated once, the preview isturned 90 degrees to the right, and when touch-operated twice, thepreview is turned 180 degrees to the right (vertically flipped).Similarly, when the image of finished document displayed on the previewarea is gesture-operated (when the document image is rotated 180 degreesclockwise by one's finger), the preview is turned 180 degrees to theright and vertically flipped.

When a plus button 3020A of zoom bar 3020 is touch-operated or if bar3020C is gesture-operated (slid) to the side of plus button 3020A, thepreview is displayed in an enlarged size. Similarly, when the image offinished document displayed on the preview area is gesture-operated(when the document image is pinched-out/pinched-open by finger tips),the preview is displayed in an enlarged size.

When a minus button 3020B of zoom bar 3020 is touch-operated or if bar3020C is gesture-operated (slid) to the side of minus button 3020B, thepreview is displayed in a reduced size. Similarly, when the image offinished document displayed on the preview area is gesture-operated(when the document image is pinched-in/pinched-close by finger tips),the preview is displayed in a reduced size.

If the number of pages of the document image to be displayed on previewarea 3000 is large, a display page selection button (a page number inputbutton, page feed button, page return button, single page displaybutton, plural page display button or the like) that can betouch-operated may be displayed. Page feed and page return of thepreviewed document is also possible by a gesture-operation (flick) ofthe document image. If the document image displayed on preview area 3000is large, a scroll bar that can be touch-operated or gesture-operatedmay be displayed.

On action panel area 4000, pieces of information related to assistance,guidance and suggestion related to the operation are displayed. Onaction panel area 4000, if, for instance, a user selects a specificfunction, functions related to the selected function may be displayed,other functions related to the selected function in object-orientedmanner may be displayed, or functions selected in the past by the useror a user of a group to which the user belongs in relation to theselected function may be displayed as “recommended functions.”

On task trigger area 5000, trigger items operated by the user toactually operate image forming apparatus 100 when all settings are donefor the operational mode are displayed. By way of example, a startbutton (software button) is displayed for starting a process. In anoperational mode involving printing (other than facsimile transmission),information related to run out of consumables is also displayed on tasktrigger area 5000, since it leads to a task failure.

Here, it is preferred to display the start button only when the stateallows pressing of the start button. The state that allows pressing ofthe start button refers to a state in which all settings have been done,and consumables (recording paper and toner) are available, in theoperational mode involving printing. In the facsimile mode(transmission) as an operational mode not involving printing, it is astate in which settings of all transmission parameters including adestination have been done.

The positions where these five areas are arranged are not changed evenwhen the operational mode is changed (not changed in the initial screenimage of any operational mode). Similar to the switched display in theicon mode/regular mode/express mode of function selecting area 2000 (andpreview area 3000), the size of each area is changed, reduced/enlargedin the lateral direction (longitudinal direction) of touch-paneldisplay.

These five areas are arranged in consideration of the flow line ofuser's viewpoint and the flow line of user's operation, in addition tothe user interface of conventional devices. With such an arrangement,the user's viewpoint moves from upper left to lower right, and the useroperation (finger tip of the dominant hand) moves from upper left tolower right. This advantageously enables a user-friendly operation.

For making a transition from one operational mode to another, home key148 is pressed, to select another operational mode on the home screenimage. In this manner, the operational mode is switched through the homescreen image.

As described above, image forming apparatus 100 is provided withtouch-panel display 130 displaying pieces of information inconsideration of flow lines of user's viewpoint and user's operation.Such a display process is realized by software executed by using thehardware configuration described above. The software configuration willbe described.

[Software Configuration]

FIG. 5 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a programexecuted by CPU 300 of image forming apparatus 100. CPU 300 of imageforming apparatus 100 executes, in parallel with the program, a programfor realizing general functions of an image forming apparatus having aplurality of functions. The program, however, is not directly related tothe characteristic portion of the present invention and, therefore,details thereof will not be described here.

Referring to FIG. 5, at step (hereinafter “step” will be denoted by 5)10000, CPU 300 of image forming apparatus 100 (hereinafter simplyreferred to as CPU 300) determines whether or not image formingapparatus 100 is powered on. Here, it is assumed that the main power foroperating CPU 300 has been on, and when power key 144 is pressed, CPU300 determines that image forming apparatus 100 is powered on. Thedetermination of YES may be made if the main power is turned on, atS10000. If it is determined that image forming apparatus 100 is poweredon (YES at S10000), the process proceeds to S10010. Otherwise (NO atS10000), the process of S10000 is repeated until it is determined thatimage forming apparatus 100 is powered on.

At S10010, CPU 300 displays a warm-up screen image on touch-paneldisplay 130. While the warm-up screen image is displayed on touch-paneldisplay 130, by way of example, a system check process and the processof supplying electric power to the heater to heat heating roller 248 areexecuted.

At S10020, CPU 300 determines whether or not warm-up is complete. If itis determined that warm-up is complete (YES at S10020), the processproceeds to S10030. Otherwise (NO at S10020), the process of S10020 isrepeated until warm-up is complete.

At S10030, CPU 300 displays the home screen image on touch-panel display130. At S10040, CPU 300 determines whether or not an operational mode isselected. CPU 300 determines that an operational mode is selected whenan icon (an icon representing an operational mode) displayed on the homescreen image is touched, tapped or double-tapped. If it is determinedthat an operational mode is selected (YES at S10040), the processproceeds to S10050. Otherwise (NO at S10040), the process returns toS10030, and the processes of S10030 and S10040 are executed. As to theicon operation, any gesture operation other than touching, tapping anddouble-tapping is not excluded. Any touch-operation or gesture-operationon touch-panel display 130 may be done. Simple description of “pressing”may refer to any of these operations.

At S10050, CPU 300 determines whether or not the selected operationalmode is the document filing mode. If the selected operational mode isdetermined to be the document filing mode (YES at S10050), the processproceeds to S10130. Otherwise (NO at S10050), the process proceeds toS10060.

At S10060, CPU 300 determines whether the selected operational mode isany of the copy mode, mail mode and facsimile mode. If the selectedoperational mode is determined to be the copy mode (“copy” at S10060),the flow proceeds to S10070. If the selected operational mode isdetermined to be the mail mode (“mail” at S10060), the process proceedsto S10090. If the selected operational mode is determined to be thefacsimile mode (“FAX” at S10060), the process proceeds to S10110.

At S10070, CPU 300 reads copy initial screen image data stored, forexample, in HDD 302. At S10080, CPU 300 displays the initial screenimage of the copy mode on touch-panel display 130, based on the readcopy initial screen image data. Thereafter, the process proceeds toS10200.

At S10090, CPU 300 reads mail initial screen image data stored, forexample, in HDD 302. At S10100, CPU 300 displays the initial screenimage of the mail mode on touch-panel display 130, based on the readmail initial screen image data. Thereafter, the process proceeds toS10200.

At S10110, CPU 300 reads FAX initial screen image data stored, forexample, in HDD 302. At S10120, CPU 300 displays the initial screenimage of the FAX mode on touch-panel display 130, based on the read FAXinitial screen image data. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S10200.

At S10130, CPU 300 reads a list of files stored in HDD 302 using thedocument filing function. At S10140, CPU 300 reads initial screen imagedata of the file reading process stored, for example, in HDD 302. AtS10150, CPU 300 displays the initial screen image for the file readingprocess on touch-panel display 130, using the read initial screen imagedata of the file reading process.

At S10160, CPU 300 determines whether or not the file reading process isselected. Here, if one of the file names displayed as a list ontouch-panel display 130 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, CPU 300determines that a file to be read is designated and the file readingprocess is selected. If it is determined that the file reading processis selected (YES at S10160), the process proceeds to S10170. Otherwise(NO at S10160), the process of S10160 is repeated until it is determinedthat the file reading process is selected. Other document filing processmay be executed if it is not determined that the file reading process isselected.

At S10170, CPU 300 reads the designated file from HDD 302. At S10180,CPU 300 reads the initial screen image data of the file process stored,for example, in HDD 302. At S10190, CPU 300 displays the initial screenimage of the file process on touch-panel display 130, using the readinitial screen image data of the file process. The screen image displayon touch-panel display 130 at this time corresponds to the initialscreen image of other operational mode. Specifically, of the fouroperational modes available in image forming apparatus 100, only in thedocument filing mode, the initial screen image of document filing modecorresponding to the initial screen image of other operational mode isdisplayed when the user selects a file name to be read on touch-paneldisplay displaying the list of document data stored in HDD 302. Then,the process proceeds to S10200.

At S10200, CPU 300 determines whether or not a request is input in theselected operational mode. If it is determined that a user request isinput (YES at S10200), the process proceeds to S10210. Otherwise (NO atS10200), the process proceeds to S10220.

At S10210, CPU 300 executes the process requested by the user in imageforming apparatus 100. Then, the process ends.

At S10220, CPU 300 determines whether or not the home key is pressed. Ifit is determined that the home key is pressed (YES at S10220), theprocess proceeds to S10030. Otherwise (NO at S10220), the processreturns to S10200, and the process of S10200 is repeated until it isdetermined that a user request is input.

It is also possible to display a log-in screen image at the completionof warm-up (YES at S10020). Though the log-in operation after completionof warm-up is not described in the following, it is assumed that log-inis required of the user to use image forming apparatus 100.

Further, the request input by the user at S10200 may be a request beforeprinting that does not necessarily cause the actual printing by imageforming apparatus 100. Specifically, the request may include a change inthe display mode of function selecting area 2000, function setting onfunction selecting area 2000, and a change in the manner of displayingthe preview on preview area 3000. If such a request before printing ismade, corresponding operation is done at S10210, and after S10210, theprocess returns to S10200 to wait for an input of a further request(eventually the request for printing).

[Operation]

The operation of image forming apparatus 100 in accordance with thepresent embodiment based on the configuration and flowchart as abovewill be described with reference to the exemplary displays ontouch-panel display 130 shown in FIGS. 6 to 11.

—Home Screen Image Display Operation—

When the user presses power key 144 of image forming apparatus 100 (YESat S10000), the warm-up screen image is displayed on touch-panel display130 (S10010) until warm-up is complete (NO at S10020). At this time, itis preferred that image forming apparatus 100 prepares pieces ofinformation that can be displayed even during system check and usefulfor the user who is going to use image forming apparatus 100, and thatthe warm-up screen image including such pieces of information isdisplayed on touch-panel display 130.

When warm-up is complete (YES at S10020), the home screen image isdisplayed on touch-panel display 130 (S10030). At this time, ontouch-panel display 130, a home screen image 6000 such as shown in FIG.6 is displayed. On home screen image 6000, not all of the five areas ofthe layout described above are displayed. As shown in FIG. 6, on homescreen image 6000, icons (icons representing operational modes) allowingselection of an operational mode are displayed on most part oftouch-panel display 130, regardless of the five areas.

Referring to FIG. 6, home screen image 6000 includes a home system area6100 corresponding to the system area described above, an icon displayarea 6200, an icon display switching tub-button 6300, and a memo displayarea 6400.

On home system area 6100, an area 6102 displaying an icon representingthe home screen image, an area 6104 displaying the name of the displayedscreen image, an area 6106 displaying the logged-in user name, an area6108 displaying a log-out button (software button), and an area 6110displaying the current time, are arranged.

On icon display area 6200, icons 6210-6274 representing operationalmodes are displayed together with the names or abbreviations of theoperational modes. The name or abbreviation of the operational mode isnot indispensable. In the present embodiment, there are at least fouroperational modes (copy mode, facsimile mode, document filing mode, andmail mode). Therefore, an icon 6242 for selecting the copy mode, an icon6232 for selecting the facsimile mode, an icon 6254 for selecting thedocument filing mode and an icon 6240 for selecting the mail mode aredisplayed on icon display area 6200. In FIG. 6, icons for selectingother operational modes, icons for selecting other setting modes (forexample, system setting and language setting), and icons for displayingother screen images (for example, job status) are also displayed.

As shown in FIG. 6, in icon display area 6200, icons on the centralcolumn (for example, icons 6240, 6242 and 6244) are displayed largerthan icons on the left and right sides thereof (for example, icons 6230and 6250 with respect to icon 6240, icons 6232 and 6252 with respect toicon 6242, and icons 6234 and 6254 with respect to icon 6244). In icondisplay area 6200, icons at the central row (for example, icons 6232,6242 and 6252) are displayed larger than icons on the upper and lowersides thereof (for example, icons 6230 and 6234 with respect to icon6232, icons 6240 and 6244 with respect to icon 6242, and icons 6250 and6254 with respect to icon 6252). In this manner, in icon display area6200, the icons are displayed to be horizontally and verticallysymmetrical in size, with the size being the largest at the center(center at the central column).

When the user makes a flick operation to the left with his/her finger onicon display area 6200 displayed on the screen of touch-panel display130, icons displayed on the screen move as if they flow in the directionindicated by an arrow 6010. When the user makes a flick operation to theright, icons displayed on the screen move as if they flow in thedirection indicated by an arrow 6020. The distance of movement isdetermined, for example, in accordance with the width of movement of thefinger tip in the flick operation. The distance of movement may be aprescribed distance set in advance for one flick operation. If a mannerof display in which a plurality of icons are arranged on a virtualcylinder is adopted for icon display area 6200, it becomes possible todisplay the icons in an endless manner.

On memo display area 6400, a piece of maintenance information or thelike to be notified to every user of image forming apparatus 100 isdisplayed.

—Operation of Displaying Initial Screen Image of Copy Mode—

If icon 6242 shown in FIG. 6 is touched, tapped or double tapped by thefinger tip of a user, it is determined that the operational mode isselected (YES at S10040), and that the selected operational mode is thecopy mode (NO at S10050, “copy” at S10060). Using the copy initialscreen image data read from HDD 302 or the like, the initial screenimage of copy mode is displayed on touch-panel display 130 (S10080). Byway of example, an initial screen image 7100 for the copy mode shown inFIG. 7 is displayed on touch-panel display 130. As shown in FIG. 7, copymode initial screen image 7100 is divided into five areas of the layoutdescribed above, on which pieces of information are displayed.

Referring to FIG. 7, on system area 1000 of copy mode initial screenimage 7100, an area 1102 indicating the selected operational mode (here,copy mode), an area 1104 displaying sub information related to theselected operational mode, an area 1106 displaying the logged-in username, an area 1108 displaying a log-out button (software button), anarea 1110 displaying the job status of the currently executed job, anarea 1112 displaying a button related to the job status (softwarebutton), an area 1114 displaying the communication state, and an area1116 indicating the current time, are arranged.

In area 1102, a name and/or icon representing the operational mode isdisplayed. It is preferred that if area 1102 is touched, tapped ordouble-topped, a menu showing operational modes is pulled-down, allowingswitching of the operational mode (the same applies to other operationalmodes).

In area 1104, an interruption key (software button) is displayed as subinformation. If the interruption key is touched, tapped ordouble-tapped, an interruption process can be executed in the copy mode.

In area 1106, job status of the currently executed job is indicated byan icon. If the job status is touched, tapped or double-tapped, detailedinformation of job status is displayed. Further, it is preferred todisplay a button or the like to stop the selected job in area 1112.

In function selecting area 2000 of copy mode initial screen image 7100,a function selection menu allowing selection by the user in the copymode and the group of change buttons 2010 described above are displayed.In the screen image shown in FIG. 7, the function selection menu isdisplayed in the regular mode.

As shown in FIG. 7, the function selection menu displayed in the regularmode includes a group of icons 2100 and a group of texts 2120. In thefunction selection menu displayed on function selecting area 2000,corresponding to an icon 2102 for setting the number of copies, a text2122 showing the set contents is displayed. Corresponding to an icon2104 for setting color mode, a text 2124 showing the set contents isdisplayed. Corresponding to an icon 2106 for setting copy density, atext 2126 showing the set contents is displayed. Corresponding to anicon 2108 for setting copy magnification, a text 2128 showing the setcontents is displayed. Corresponding to an icon 2110 for settingdocument type, a text 2130 showing the set contents is displayed.Corresponding to an icon 2112 for setting paper type, a text 2132showing the set contents is displayed. Corresponding to an icon 2114 forimage edition, a text 2134 showing the set contents is displayed.Corresponding to an icon 2116 for layout edition, a text 2136 showingthe set contents is displayed.

As described above, further items on the function setting menu may bedisplayed in upward/downward scrollable manner, with the displayposition of group of change buttons 2010 fixed. It is possible to switchthe items displayed on the function setting menu including the itemshidden at the upper or lower portion and not displayed, either by thetouch-operation (scroll operation) or gesture-operation (upward/downwardflick operation).

Here, image edition refers to image edition of one page of document. Alower layer menu thereof includes frame erasure, print menu, watermark,user stamp and the like. The layout edition refers to image edition of aplurality of pages of the document. The lower layer menu thereofincludes page collection, margin, page movement, centering and the like.The lower layer menu of the displayed function selection menu appears ontouch-panel display 130 if any of icons 2102 to 2116 or texts 2122 to2136 is touched, tapped or double-tapped.

In preview area 3000 of copy mode initial screen image 7100, an image ofexpected document output (finished form) 3100 and the group of previewchanging buttons 3010 described above are arranged. Here, image 3100 isdisplayed using dummy data or scanned data. Every time the user changesthe function setting menu of function selecting area 2000, image 3100 ischanged and displayed on preview area 3000 (preview display is changed).

In action panel area 4000 of copy mode initial screen image 7100, piecesof information related to assistance, guidance and suggestion related tothe copy operation are displayed. As shown in FIG. 7, recommendedfunctions in the copy mode selected by the user are displayed. In actionpanel area 4000, an area 4100 showing the contents of displayedinformation, and areas 4102 to 4106 showing, as texts, the recommendedfunctions and serving as software buttons are arranged.

When area 4102 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, detailed informationof energy-saving copy is pulled-down and displayed. Here, a softwarebutton allowing transition to a function setting screen image fordouble-sided copy is displayed, together with a text message of, forexample, “double-sided copy saves paper.” At the same time, a softwarebutton allowing transition to a function setting screen image for pagecollection is displayed, together with a text message of “collectiveprinting of pages saves paper.” Further, a software button allowingtransition to a function setting screen image for saddle stitch isdisplayed, together with a text message of “printing for bookbindingavailable.”

In task trigger area 5000 of copy mode initial screen image 7100, agroup of execution buttons 5100 are displayed. The group of executionbuttons 5100 includes a scan-in key 5102, a clear all key 5104, amonochrome start key 5106 and a color start key 5108. These are allsoftware buttons. Scan-in key 5102 is for operating image formingapparatus 100 to scan a document and obtain image data. Clear all key5104 is for clearing set function or functions. Monochrome start key5106 is for operating image forming apparatus 100 to scan a document andstart copying in black and white. Color start key 5108 is for operatingimage forming apparatus 100 to scan a document and start color copying.

If a user inputs a request (YES at S10200) on copy mode initial screenimage 7100 displaying pieces of information in five divided areas, acopy process is executed in accordance with the request (S10210).

—Operation of Displaying Initial Screen Image of Mail Mode—

If icon 6240 shown in FIG. 6 is touched, tapped or double tapped by thefinger tip of a user, it is determined that the operational mode isselected (YES at S10040), and that the selected operational mode is themail mode (NO at S10050, “mail” at S10060). Using the mail initialscreen image data read from HDD 302 or the like, the initial screenimage of mail mode is displayed on touch-panel display 130 (S10100). Byway of example, an initial screen image 7200 for the mail mode shown inFIG. 8 is displayed on touch-panel display 130. As shown in FIG. 8, mailmode initial screen image 7200 is divided into five areas of the layoutdescribed above, on which pieces of information are displayed.

Referring to FIG. 8, on system area 1000 of mail mode initial screenimage 7200, an area 1202 indicating the selected operational mode (here,mail mode), an area 1204 displaying sub information related to theselected operational mode, an area 1206 displaying the logged-in username, an area 1208 displaying a log-out button (software button), anarea 1214 displaying communication state, and an area 1216 indicatingthe current time, are arranged.

In area 1204, a key (software button) for adding a job is displayed, asthe sub information. If the interruption key is touched, tapped ordouble-tapped, a process for designating a job to be added in the mailmode can be executed.

In function selecting area 2000 of mail mode initial screen image 7200,a function selection menu allowing selection by the user in the mailmode and the group of change buttons 2010 described above are displayed.In the screen image shown in FIG. 8, the function selection menu isdisplayed in the regular mode.

As shown in FIG. 8, the function selection menu displayed in the regularmode includes a group of icons 2200 and a group of texts 2220. In thefunction selection menu displayed on function selecting area 2000,corresponding to an icon 2202 for setting the color mode of a documentto be transmitted as an attachment file of a mail, a text 2222 showingthe set contents is displayed. Corresponding to an icon 2204 for settingthe density of a document to be transmitted as an attachment file of amail, a text 2224 showing the set contents is displayed. Correspondingto an icon 2206 for setting the magnification of a document to betransmitted as an attachment file of a mail, a text 2226 showing the setcontents is displayed. Corresponding to an icon 2208 for setting thetype of a document to be transmitted as an attachment file of a mail, atext 2228 showing the set contents is displayed.

As described above, further items on the function setting menu may bedisplayed in upward/downward scrollable manner, with the displayposition of group of change buttons 2010 fixed. It is possible to switchthe items displayed on the function setting menu including the itemshidden at the upper or lower portion and not displayed, either by thetouch-operation (scroll operation) or gesture-operation (upward/downwardflick operation).

Further, in addition to the function selection menu, on functionselecting area 2000 of mail mode initial screen image 7200, a button2240 for displaying an address book used for designating a mail address,a button 2242 for designating a mail subject, a button 2244 fordesignating a file to be attached to a mail, and a button 2246 forinputting a main body of a mail are displayed.

When button 2240 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, from address booksstored in image forming apparatus 100, only the destinations having mailaddresses stored are extracted and a resulting address book isdisplayed.

When button 2242 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, a text inputscreen image is displayed, allowing input of a subject of the mail. Whenbutton 2244 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, a file name designatingscreen image is displayed, allowing designation of a file name. Whenbutton 2246 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, a text input screenimage is displayed, allowing input of a main body of the mail.

In preview area 3000 of mail mode initial screen image 7200, an image ofexpected document output (finished form) 3200 is arranged. Here, image3200 is displayed using dummy data or scanned data. Every time the userchanges the function setting menu of function selecting area 2000, image3200 is changed and displayed on preview area 3000 (preview display ischanged).

In addition to image 3200, in preview area 3000 of mail mode initialscreen image 7200, a button 3202 for inputting a mail destination isdisplayed. When button 3202 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, a textinput screen image is displayed, allowing direct input of a maildestination, or selection of a mail destination from an address book.

In action panel area 4000 of mail mode initial screen image 7200, piecesof information related to assistance, guidance and suggestion related tothe mail operation are displayed. As shown in FIG. 8, recommendedfunctions in the mail mode selected by the user are displayed. In actionpanel area 4000, an area 4200 showing the contents of displayedinformation, and areas 4202 to 4204 showing, as texts, the recommendedfunctions and serving as software buttons are arranged.

When area 4202 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, detailed informationof multicast mail transmission is pulled-down and displayed. When area4204 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, detailed information relatedto an operation of reducing the size of data to be attached to the mailis pulled-down and displayed. When area 4206 is touched, tapped ordouble-tapped, detailed information related to an operation of saving adocument to be transmitted attached to a mail in HDD 302 is pulled-downand displayed.

In task trigger area 5000 of mail mode initial screen image 7200, agroup of execution buttons 5200 are displayed. The group of executionbuttons 5200 includes a scan-in key 5202, a clear all key 5204, and atransmission start key 5206. These are all software buttons. Scan-in key5202 is a button for operating image forming apparatus 100 to scan adocument and obtain image data. Clear all key 5204 is a button forclearing set function or functions. Transmission start key 5206 is abutton for operating image forming apparatus 100 to scan a document andtransmit it as an attachment to a mail.

If a user inputs a request (YES at S10200) on mail mode initial screenimage 7200 displaying pieces of information in five divided areas, amail process is executed in accordance with the request (S10210).

—Operation of Displaying Initial Screen Image of FAX Mode—

If icon 6232 shown in FIG. 6 is touched, tapped or double tapped by thefinger tip of a user, it is determined that the operational mode isselected (YES at S10040), and that the selected operational mode is theFAX mode (NO at S10050, “FAX” at S10060). Using the FAX initial screenimage data read from HDD 302 or the like, the initial screen image ofFAX mode is displayed on touch-panel display 130 (S10100). By way ofexample, an initial screen image 7300 for the FAX mode shown in FIG. 9is displayed on touch-panel display 130. As shown in FIG. 9, FAX modeinitial screen image 7300 is divided into five areas of the layoutdescribed above, on which pieces of information are displayed.

Referring to FIG. 9, on system area 1000 of FAX mode initial screenimage 7300, an area 1302 indicating the selected operational mode (here,FAX mode), an area 1304 displaying sub information related to theselected operational mode, an area 1306 displaying the logged-in username, an area 1308 displaying a log-out button (software button), anarea 1310 displaying a volume adjustment button at the time of on-hook,an area 1312 displaying free memory space, an area 1314 displayingcommunication state, and an area 1316 indicating the current time, arearranged.

In area 1304, a key (software button) for adding a job is displayed, asthe sub information. If the interruption key is touched, tapped ordouble-tapped, a process for designating a job to be added in the FAXmode can be executed.

When the volume adjustment button displayed in area 1310 is touched,tapped or double-tapped, a slide bar for adjusting volume at the time ofon-hook is displayed.

In function selecting area 2000 of FAX mode initial screen image 7300, afunction selection menu allowing selection by the user in the FAX modeand the group of change buttons 2010 described above are displayed. Inthe screen image shown in FIG. 9, the function selection menu isdisplayed in the regular mode.

As shown in FIG. 9, the function selection menu displayed in the regularmode includes a group of icons 2300 and a group of texts 2320. In thefunction selection menu displayed on function selecting area 2000,corresponding to an icon 2302 for setting the density of a FAX document,a text 2322 showing the set contents is displayed. Corresponding to anicon 2304 for setting the type of FAX document, a text 2324 showing theset contents is displayed. Corresponding to an icon 2306 for imageedition, a text 2326 showing the set contents is displayed.Corresponding to an icon 2308 for layout edition, a text 2328 showingthe set contents is displayed. For an icon 2310 for displaying result ofFAX communication, corresponding text 2330 is displayed. For an icon2312 for printing information of FAX transmission source on a FAXdocument, corresponding text 2332 is displayed. For an icon 2314 fordisplaying information stored in a memory box, corresponding text 2334is displayed.

As described above, further items on the function setting menu may bedisplayed in upward/downward scrollable manner, with the displayposition of group of change buttons 2010 fixed. It is possible to switchthe items displayed on the function setting menu including the itemshidden at the upper or lower portion and not displayed, either by thetouch-operation (scroll operation) or gesture-operation (upward/downwardflick operation).

Further, in addition to the function selection menu, on functionselecting area 2000 of FAX mode initial screen image 7300, a button 2340for displaying an address book used to designate a telephone number ofFAX destination is displayed.

When button 2340 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, from address booksstored in image forming apparatus 100, only the destinations having FAXtelephone numbers stored are extracted and a resulting address book isdisplayed.

In preview area 3000 of FAX mode initial screen image 7300, an image ofexpected document output (finished form) 3300 is arranged. Here, image3300 is displayed using dummy data or scanned data. Every time the userchanges the function setting menu of function selecting area 2000, image3300 is changed and displayed on preview area 3000 (preview display ischanged).

In addition to image 3300, in preview area 3000 of FAX mode initialscreen image 7300, a button 3302 for inputting a FAX destination isdisplayed. When button 3302 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, a textinput screen image is displayed, allowing direct input of a FAXdestination, or selection of a FAX destination from an address book.

In action panel area 4000 of FAX mode initial screen image 7300, piecesof information related to assistance, guidance and suggestion related tothe FAX operation are displayed. As shown in FIG. 9, recommendedfunctions in the FAX mode selected by the user are displayed. In actionpanel area 4000, an area 4300 showing the contents of displayedinformation, and areas 4302 to 4304 showing, as texts, the recommendedfunctions and serving as software buttons are arranged.

When area 4302 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, detailed informationof multicast FAX transmission is pulled-down and displayed. When area4304 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, detailed information relatedto an operation of reducing the size of data to be transmitted by FAX ispulled-down and displayed. When area 4306 is touched, tapped ordouble-tapped, detailed information related to an operation of saving adocument to be transmitted by FAX in HDD 302 is pulled-down anddisplayed.

In task trigger area 5000 of FAX mode initial screen image 7300, a groupof execution buttons 5300 are displayed. The group of execution buttons5300 includes a scan-in key (software button) 5302, a clear-all key(software button) 5304, a transmission start key (software button) 5306and a check box 5308. Scan-in key 5302 is a button for operating imageforming apparatus 100 to scan a document and obtain image data. Clearall key 5304 is a button for clearing set function or functions.Transmission start key 5306 is a button for operating image formingapparatus 100 to scan a document and transmit it by FAX. Check box 5308is used for designating direct transmission.

If a user inputs a request (YES at S10200) on FAX mode initial screenimage 7300 displaying pieces of information in five divided areas, a FAXprocess is executed in accordance with the request (S10210).

—File Reading Operation in Document Filing Mode—

If icon 6254 shown in FIG. 6 is touched, tapped or double tapped by thefinger tip of a user, it is determined that the operational mode isselected (YES at S10040), and that the selected operational mode is thedocument filing mode (YES at S10050). A file list stored in HDD 302 isread (S10130), and using initial screen image data for a file readingprocess in the document filing mode read from HDD 302 or the like, ascreen image for file reading process in the document filing mode isdisplayed on touch-panel display 130 (S10150). Here, on touch-paneldisplay 130, by way of example, a screen image 7400 for the file readingprocess (hereinafter simply referred to as screen image 7400) in thedocument filing mode shown in FIG. 10 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 10,screen image 7400 is basically divided into five areas of the layoutdescribed above, on which pieces of information are displayed. It isnoted, however, that screen image 7400 is in a state of display close tothe express mode. In the express mode, function selecting area 2000 isdisplayed in a large size, and preview area 3000 is displayed small ornot displayed. In FIG. 10, preview area 3000 is not displayed.

Referring to FIG. 10, on system area 1000 of screen image 7400, an area1402 indicating the selected operational mode (here, document filingmode), an area 1406 displaying the logged-in user name, an area 1408displaying a log-out button (software button), an area 1412 displaying abutton related to the job status of the currently executed job, an area1414 displaying the communication state, and an area 1416 indicating thecurrent time, are arranged.

In function selecting area 2000 of screen image 7400, a file selectionmenu allowing the user to select a file that can be read from HDD 302 inthe document filing mode is displayed. In the screen image shown in FIG.10, the file selection menu is displayed in a manner of display similarto the express mode.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the file selection menu, an area 2402 displayinga folder name in a user area of HDD 302, an area 2404 displaying abutton for displaying sub folders of the displayed folder, an area 2406displaying a button for changing to a mode (regular mode) in which thefile selection menu is displayed with narrower width, an area 2408displaying a button for changing setting of display order, and a filelist are displayed.

In the file list, arranged are: an area 2410 indicating that thecontents of the column are file names; an area 2412 indicating a buttonfor sorting the file names in ascending or descending order; an area2414 indicating that the contents of the column are date and time whenfiles are stored in HDD 302; and an area 2416 indicating that thecontents of the column are user names who stored the files in HDD 302.

In the file list as described above, an area 2420 displaying an iconrepresenting a file, an area 2422 displaying a file name, an area 2424displaying the date and time of saving, and an area 2426 displaying theuser name who saved, are arranged on each row.

In area 2440, over an icon representing a file, a check mark 2444 isdisplayed, indicating that reading of the file is designated by theuser. Further, a “favorite” mark, indicating that the file is registeredas a favorite by the user is displayed.

When the icon displayed on area 2406 is touched, tapped or double-tappedby the finger tip of a user, the screen image is switched from that ofFIG. 10, in which preview area 3000 is not displayed, to a screen imagein which preview area 3000 is displayed with a narrower file list.Preferably, thumb-nail images of files that can be read from HDD 302 maybe displayed in preview area 3000.

In function selecting area 2000, below the file list, filter buttons2450, 2452 and 2454 for filtering files to be displayed on the file listare arranged.

When filter button 2450 is touched, tapped or double-tapped by thefinger tip of a user, only the files that are registered as “favorites”are displayed on the file list. When filter button 2452 is touched,tapped or double-tapped by the finger tip of a user, all files aredisplayed on the file list. When filter button 2454 is touched, tappedor double-tapped by the finger tip of a user, only the files selected bythe user to be read are displayed on the file list.

Further, in function selecting area 2000, below the file list, an area2456 indicating the number of files selected on the file list, and anarea 2458 displaying information related to the remaining space of HDD302 of image forming apparatus 100 are arranged.

If the number of files stored in HDD 302 or the number of files storedin the designated folder is too many to be displayed in the list, itemsmay be displayed in upward/downward scrollable manner, with thepositions of areas 2410 to 2416 fixed. It is possible to switch theitems displayed on the file list including the file names hidden at theupper or lower portion and not displayed, either by the touch-operation(scroll operation) or gesture-operation (upward/downward flickoperation).

In action panel area 4000 of screen image 7400, pieces of informationrelated to assistance, guidance and suggestion related to the filereading operation in the document filing mode are displayed. As shown inFIG. 10, recommended functions for the file reading process in documentfiling mode selected by the user are displayed. In action panel area4000, an area 4400 showing the contents of displayed information, andareas 4402 to 4410 showing, as texts, the recommended functions andserving as software buttons are arranged.

In task trigger area 5000 of screen image 7400, a group of executionbuttons 5400 are displayed. The group of execution buttons 5400 includesa clear-all key (software button) 5402, and a trash box icon 5404. Clearall key 5402 is a button for clearing set function or functions. When aselected file is to be erased, an icon of the file is dragged anddropped to trash box icon 5404.

—Operation of Displaying Initial Screen Image of Document Filing Mode—

When one of the file names shown in FIG. 10 is touched, tapped ordouble-tapped by the finger tip of a user, it is determined that thefile reading process in the document filing mode is selected (YES atS10160). Using the initial screen image data of file processing in thedocument filing mode read from HDD 302 or the like, an initial screenimage of file processing in the document filing mode is displayed ontouch-panel display 130 (S10190). By way of example, on touch-paneldisplay 130, an initial screen image 7500 of document filing mode shownin FIG. 11 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 11, the initial screen image7500 of the document filing mode is divided into five areas of thelayout described above, on which pieces of information are displayed.

Referring to FIG. 11, on system area 1000 of initial screen image 7500of the document filing mode, an area 1502 indicating the selectedoperational mode (here, document filing mode), an area 1506 displayingthe logged-in user name, an area 1508 displaying a log-out button(software button), an area 1510 displaying the job status of thecurrently executed job, an area 1512 displaying a button related to thejob status (software button), an area 1514 displaying the communicationstate, and an area 1516 indicating the current time, are arranged.

In area 1510, job status of the currently executed job is indicated byan icon. If the job status is touched, tapped or double-tapped, detailedinformation of job status is displayed. Further, it is preferred todisplay a button or the like to stop the selected job in area 1512.

In function selecting area 2000 of initial screen image 7500 of thedocument filing mode, a function selection menu allowing selection bythe user in the document filing mode and the group of change buttons2010 described above are displayed. In the screen image shown in FIG.11, the function selection menu is displayed in the regular mode.

As shown in FIG. 11, the function selection menu displayed in theregular mode includes a group of icons 2500 and a group of texts 2520.In the function selection menu displayed on function selecting area2000, corresponding to an icon 2502 for setting the number of printingthe document read in the document filing mode, a text 2522 showing theset contents is displayed. Corresponding to an icon 2504 for settingcolor mode of the document read in the document filing mode, a text 2524showing the set contents is displayed. Corresponding to an icon 2506 forsetting density of the document read in the document filing mode, a text2526 showing the set contents is displayed. Corresponding to an icon2508 for setting magnification of the document read in the documentfiling mode, a text 2528 showing the set contents is displayed.Corresponding to an icon 2510 for setting the type of the document readin the document filing mode, a text 2530 showing the set contents isdisplayed. Corresponding to an icon 2512 for setting the type ofrecording paper for printing the document read in the document filingmode, a text 2532 showing the set contents is displayed. Correspondingto an icon 2514 for editing images of the document read in the documentfiling mode, a text 2534 showing the set contents is displayed.Corresponding to an icon 2516 for editing layout of the document read inthe document filing mode, a text 2536 showing the set contents isdisplayed.

As described above, further items on the function setting menu may bedisplayed in upward/downward scrollable manner, with the displayposition of group of change buttons 2010 fixed. It is possible to switchthe items displayed on the function setting menu including the itemshidden at the upper or lower portion and not displayed, either by thetouch-operation (scroll operation) or gesture-operation (upward/downwardflick operation).

In preview area 3000 of initial screen image 7500 of the document filingmode, an image of expected document output (finished form) 3500 and thegroup of preview changing buttons 3010 described above are arranged.Here, image 3500 is displayed using dummy data or scanned data. Everytime the user changes the function setting menu of function selectingarea 2000, image 3500 is changed and displayed on preview area 3000(preview display is changed).

In action panel area 4000 of initial screen image 7500 of the documentfiling mode, pieces of information related to assistance, guidance andsuggestion related to the document filing operation are displayed. Asshown in FIG. 11, recommended functions in the document filing modeselected by the user are displayed. In action panel area 4000, an area4500 showing the contents of displayed information, and areas 4502 to4506 showing, as texts, the recommended functions and serving assoftware buttons are arranged.

In task trigger area 5000 of initial screen image 7500 of the documentfiling mode, a group of execution buttons 5500 are displayed. The groupof execution buttons 5500 includes a print start key (software button)5502 and a check box 5504. Print start key 5502 is for operating imageforming apparatus 100 to print a document. Check box 5504 is used fordesignating erasure of the file from HDD 302 after printing.

If a user inputs a request (YES at S10200) on initial screen image 7500of the document filing mode displaying pieces of information in fivedivided areas, a document filing process is executed in accordance withthe request (S10210).

[Effects]

As described above, in the image forming apparatus in accordance withthe present embodiment, when an operational mode is switched, differentinitial screen image is displayed on the touch-panel display. Here, thetouch-panel display is divided into a plurality of display areas, andpieces of information of common concepts are displayed in respectiveones of the divided areas. Therefore, it is possible for the user toeasily find a desired piece of information, and operability can beimproved.

Specifically, in the initial screen image, the basic layout is dividedinto five areas (system area, function selecting area, preview area,action panel area and task trigger area) and appropriately arranged onthe touch-panel display. Therefore, by the user operation from upperleft to lower right portions, setting of each operational mode isfacilitated. Particularly, since the invention realizes the flow line ofuser's view point and the flow line of user's finger tip similar tothose in a conventional device not provided with a large-sizedtouch-panel display (a device having a group of hardware buttonsincluding ten or more keys on the touch-panel display), the user may notbe confused even when the conventional apparatus is changed to the imageforming apparatus in accordance with the present embodiment. Further,since the concepts of contents displayed on respective ones of fiveareas are consistent even in different operational modes, the user canoperate without confusion in different operational modes.

The embodiments as have been described here are mere examples and shouldnot be interpreted as restrictive. The scope of the present invention isdetermined by each of the claims with appropriate consideration of thewritten description of the embodiments and embraces modifications withinthe meaning of, and equivalent to, the languages in the claims.

1. (canceled)
 2. An operation console provided on an image processingapparatus operated in an operational mode selected by a user from aplurality of operational modes, comprising: a display; and a displaycontroller dividing said display into a plurality of areas including atleast an area for displaying a task trigger key operated for operatingsaid image processing apparatus, and displaying information; whereinsaid display controller displays said area for displaying said tasktrigger key at the same position of said display even when said selectedoperational mode is changed, and displays a key for instructing a startof operation of said image processing apparatus as said task triggerkey.
 3. The operation console according to claim 2, wherein said areafor displaying said task trigger key is displayed on a lower right areaon said display.
 4. The operation console according to claim 2, whereinsaid plurality of areas include an area in which a selection menu forsetting functions of said image processing apparatus is displayed and/oran area in which an image to be processed by said image processingapparatus is displayed as a preview image.
 5. The operation consoleaccording to claim 4, wherein said area for displaying said task triggerkey is displayed next to at least one area between said area in which aselection menu for setting functions of said image processing apparatusis displayed and said area in which an image to be processed by saidimage processing apparatus is displayed as a preview image.
 6. An imageprocessing apparatus provided with the operation console according toclaim
 2. 7. A control method of controlling an operation consoleprovided on an image processing apparatus operated in an operationalmode selected by a user from a plurality of operational modes andincluding a display, comprising the steps of: dividing said display intoa plurality of areas including at least an area for displaying a tasktrigger key operated for operating said image processing apparatus, anddisplaying information; displaying said area for displaying said tasktrigger key at the same position of said display even when said selectedoperational mode is changed; and displaying a key for instructing astart of operation of said image processing apparatus as said tasktrigger key.
 8. The control method according to claim 7, wherein saidarea for displaying said task trigger key is displayed on a lower rightarea on said display.
 9. The control method according to claim 7,wherein said plurality of areas include an area in which a selectionmenu for setting functions of said image processing apparatus isdisplayed and/or an area in which an image to be processed by said imageprocessing apparatus is displayed as a preview image.
 10. The controlmethod according to claim 9, wherein said area for displaying said tasktrigger key is displayed next to at least one area between said area inwhich a selection menu for setting functions of said image processingapparatus is displayed and said area in which an image to be processedby said image processing apparatus is displayed as a preview image.